Thailand

With Thailand's economy emerging from recession, having posted positive results in the last quarter of 2009, and buoyed by the government's economic stimulus package, analysts are tipping solid growth for the construction sector this year.

Steps by the Bank of Thailand (BOT), the central bank, to ease regulations governing foreign exchange movement, aimed to boost capital outflows and reduce pressure on the local currency are expected to have a positive effect on the country's capital markets, helping to raise its profile in the international investment community.

Thailand is planning to step up spending on information and communications technology (ITC) in order to strengthen the education system and better prepare the country's youth to work in an increasingly knowledge-based society.

Thailand is looking to overhaul the country's rail network, planning to combine state spending with private sector investments to revamp a system that in recent years has been overtaken by road transport as the economy's primary freight mover.

At the start of 2009, the prospects were somewhat bleak for the Thai economy, already deep in recession, but 12 months later the country is well on its way to recovery, though there are still a snags that could undermine growth.

Thailand is planning to step up spending on information and communications technology (ITC) in order to strengthen the education system and better prepare the country's youth to work in an increasingly knowledge-based society.